HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-24-ZBA-Min
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
May 24, 2012
Board Members Present: Chairman – Carolyn C. Wilson, John J. McWeeney, Leo P.
McSweeney, David G. Williams and Martha C. Wood
Staff Present: Dianne Cornaro, Administrative Clerk and David George, Zoning
Administrator
Petition Address: 30 Hayes Lane, Map 48, Lot 211A
Petitioner submitted the following information with the application: nature and
justification of request; topographic plan; a hand written plot plan; floor plans and a
request for a waiver of the certified plot plan requirement.
A letter of support was received from Edward and Elizabeth Borden of 32 Hayes Lane.
Prior to the hearing, the petition and supporting data were reviewed by the Building
Commissioner, Conservation Administrator, Town Engineer, Health Director, Board of
Selectmen, the Zoning Administrator, the Planning Director and the Historic Districts
Commission Clerk. Comments were received from the Zoning Administrator.
The Chairman opened the hearing at 7:30 pm by reading the legal notice and
described information received from the petitioner.
George McCormack Jr., owner of the property, presented the petition.
Mr. McCormack presented the Board with pictures of the lot and explained the
hardship as the topography of the lot. They also presented an e-mail in support of the
petition from Monica David and Chuck Alexander of 26 Hayes Lane.
The petitioner is requesting a Variance from section 135-35A, Table 2, Schedule of
Dimensional Controls to allow a rear yard setback of 2 ft. instead of the required 15 ft.
rear yard setback.
The Board asked if the shed would be seen by the Condominium Complex behind him
and what was the need for the shed.
There were no questions from the audience.
Peter Johnson of 35 Hayes Avenue spoke in support of the petition.
No one spoke in opposition of the petition.
The hearing was closed at 7:36 pm.
BOA Meeting May 24, 2012 2
On a motion by John J. McWeeney and seconded by Leo P. McSweeney, the Board
voted 5-0 to waive the certified plot plan requirement.
On a motion by Leo P. McSweeney and seconded by John J. McWeeney, the Board
voted 5-0 to approve a variance from section 135-35A, Table 2, Schedule of
Dimensional Controls to allow a rear yard setback of 2 ft. instead of the required 15 ft.
rear yard setback at 30 Hayes Lane.
Submitted by: Dianne Cornaro, Administrative Clerk
BOA Meeting May 24, 2012 3
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
May 24, 2012
Board Members Present: Chairman – Carolyn C. Wilson, John J. McWeeney, Leo P.
McSweeney, David G. Williams and Martha C. Wood
Staff Present: Dianne Cornaro, Administrative Clerk and David George, Zoning
Administrator
Petition Address: 1762 Massachusetts Avenue, Map 49, Lot 35A
Petitioner submitted the following information with the application: nature and
justification of request, topographic plan, plot plan, floor plans and a request for a
waiver of the certified plot plan requirement.
Prior to the hearing, the petition and supporting data were reviewed by the Building
Commissioner, Conservation Administrator, Town Engineer, Health Director, Board of
Selectmen, the Zoning Administrator, the Planning Director and the Historic Districts
Commission Clerk. Comments were received from the Historic District Commission
Clerk and the Zoning Administrator.
The Chairman opened the hearing at 7:37 pm by reading the legal notice and
described information received from the petitioner.
Business Owner, Jillian McDonough, presented the petition with the owner of the
building, Jeffrey Lyons.
The petitioner is requesting a variance in accordance with the Zoning By-Law (Chapter
135 of the Code of Lexington) section 135-64 to allow 4 parking spaces instead of the
required 13 spaces.
Ms. McDonough described the yoga studio that she would like to open and the floor
plans for the business which will be on the second floor of the building.
At the hearing Ms. McDonough presented the Board with an updated floor plan.
A Board member asked who the previous tenant was and how many people
previously worked there. The Eagle Bank was there with approximately 25
employees.
There were no questions from the audience.
No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the petition.
The hearing was closed at 7:39 pm.
On a motion by Leo P. McSweeney and seconded by John J. McWeeney, the Board
voted 5-0 to waive the certified plot plan requirement.
BOA Meeting May 24, 2012 4
On a motion by Martha C. Wood and seconded by John J. McWeeney, the Board
voted 5-0 to approve a variance in accordance with the Zoning By-Law (Chapter 135
of the Code of Lexington) section 135-64 to allow 4 parking spaces instead of the
required 13 spaces.
Submitted by: Dianne Cornaro, Administrative Clerk
BOA Meeting May 24, 2012 5
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
May 24, 2012
Board Members Present: Chairman – Carolyn C. Wilson, John J. McWeeney, Leo P.
McSweeney, David G. Williams and Martha C. Wood
Staff Present: Dianne Cornaro, Administrative Clerk and David George, Zoning
Administrator
Address: 8 Nowers Road, Map 71, Lot 281
Petitioner submitted the following information with the application: nature and
justification of request, topographic plan, plot plan and elevations.
Prior to the hearing, the petition and supporting data were reviewed by the Building
Commissioner, Conservation Administrator, Town Engineer, Health Director, Board of
Selectmen, the Zoning Administrator, the Planning Director and the Historic Districts
Commission Clerk. Comments were received from the Zoning Administrator.
The Chairman opened the hearing at 7:40 pm by reading the legal notice and
described information received from the petitioner.
The applicant is requesting
a SPECIAL PERMIT in accordance with the Zoning By-Law
(Chapter 135 of the Code of Lexington) section 135-29A to extend a part of a non
conforming dwelling.
Architect Bill Ericson presented the petition for the owners of the property, Philip and
Harriet Anthes.
The Board members had no questions for the applicant.
No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the petition.
The hearing was closed at 7:46 pm.
On a motion by Martha C. Wood and seconded by John J. McWeeney, the Board
voted 5-0 to grant the
SPECIAL PERMIT in accordance with the Zoning By-Law
(Chapter 135 of the Code of Lexington) section 135-29A to extend a part of a non
conforming dwelling.
Submitted by: Dianne Cornaro, Administrative Clerk
BOA Meeting May 24, 2012 6
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
May 24, 2012
Board Members Present: Chairman – Carolyn C. Wilson, John J. McWeeney, Leo P.
McSweeney, David G. Williams and Martha C. Wood
Staff Present: Dianne Cornaro, Administrative Clerk and Garry Rhodes, Building
Commissioner
Address: 3 Wachusett Circle, Map 33, Lot 249
Petitioner submitted the following information with the application: nature and
justification of request, plot plan, elevations, floor plans and a letter of support from
Shawn Tuthill and Caroline Strimaitis of 43 Wachusett Drive.
Prior to the hearing, the petition and supporting data were reviewed by the Building
Commissioner, Conservation Administrator, Town Engineer, Health Director, Board of
Selectmen, the Zoning Administrator, the Planning Director and the Historic Districts
Commission Clerk. Comments were received from the Zoning Administrator.
The Chairman opened the hearing at 7:46 pm by reading the legal notice and
described information received from the petitioner.
Philip and Catherine Cormier, owners of the property, presented the petition.
The applicant is requesting a special permit in accordance with the Zoning By-Law
(Chapter 135 of the Code of Lexington) section 135-29A to extend a part of an existing
nonconforming dwelling.
A Board member asked the applicant when the bump out was constructed. He
believed it was when the house was built in 1927.
There were no questions from the audience.
No one spoke in favor or in opposition to the petition.
The hearing was closed at 7:49 pm.
On a motion by John J, McWeeney and seconded my Leo P. McSweeney, the Board
voted 5-0 to grant the special permit in accordance with the Zoning By-Law (Chapter
135 of the Code of Lexington) section 135-29A to extend a part of an existing
nonconforming dwelling.
Submitted by: Dianne Cornaro, Administrative Clerk
BOA Meeting May 24, 2012 7
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
May 24, 2012
Board Members Present: Chairman – Carolyn C. Wilson, John J. McWeeney, Leo P.
McSweeney, David G. Williams and Martha C. Wood
Staff Present: Dianne Cornaro, Administrative Clerk and Garry Rhodes, Building
Commissioner
Address: 105 Winter Street, Map 90, Lot 102A-102D
Petitioner submitted the following information with the application: nature and
justification of request, topographic plan, plot plan, elevations, locust map, subdivision
plans, deed dated December 1, 1975, Assessor’s tax record, Letter of support from
Dan Asta and Beth Abramowite of 101 Winter Street.
Prior to the hearing, the petition and supporting data were reviewed by the Building
Commissioner, Conservation Administrator, Town Engineer, Health Director, Board of
Selectmen, the Zoning Administrator, the Planning Director and the Historic Districts
Commission Clerk. Comments were received from the Building Commissioner, the
Conservation Administrator, the Planning Director and the Zoning Administrator.
The Chairman opened the hearing at 7:49 pm by reading the legal notice and
described information received from the petitioner.
Attorney Albert Sreter presented the petition for the home owner, Felicia Collins. Also
present at the hearing was the contractor, Benjamin Finnegan.
2 Variances
The applicant is requesting in accordance with 135-10B of the Zoning
Bylaw to 1) to allow a lot area of 19,142 square feet instead of the required 30,000
square feet for Lot A and; 2) to allow lot area of 24,120 square feet instead of the
required 30,000 square feet for Lot B.
At the hearing Attorney Sreter gave the history of the property and Mr. Finnegan gave
an overview of the proposed plans.
A Board member asked the Attorney about the taxes paid on each lot and another
Board member asked if the applicant had the right to construct a street since it was a
private street. It was also asked if the Street would remain a private way and who
would be responsible for the upkeep of an improved road.
It is understood by the applicant that the road improvements will need to be worked
out with the Planning Board.
When asked what was the hardship the applicant spoke of the topography of the lots
and member confirmed with the Board member that if the house was built on one lot
there would be no need for the variances.
BOA Meeting May 24, 2012 8
There was a dicussion on the sizes of the proposed homes and the current status of
lots 66 A, B, and C. The Board member confirmed with the applicant by building a
road it would open up other lots which are also small.
A Board member asked David George, the Zoning Administrator if those lots would be
able to be built on. He could not answer that without further investigating the lots.
The Chairwoman spoke of the Planning Board’s objection to this petition and their
feeling that the applicant is creating his own hardship.
Benjamin Moroze of 5 Marvin Street asked how the house numbering would be
determined. It was explained that would be determined during the Planning Board
process.
Jim Courtemanche of 88 Winter Street asked if the house was currently occupied. It
has not been occupied since May of 2010.
Kathleen Bell of 7 James Street told the Board when the plot plan for the devlopement
was established in 1924 it was for summer recidences.
Beverly Tringale of 8 James Street was concerned with how far the road would be
extended, the road being blocked by parked cars and the natural springs in the area.
Anna Rogers representing the Iodice family of 63 Winter Street was concerned with
the road infringing on their property and the impact to the lots owned by her family.
Matthew Bell of 7 James Street and Brenden Maher of 66 Winter Street spoke in
opposition to the project.
No one spoke in favor of the petition.
Ms. Felicia Collins, owner of the property, spoke of her need to sell the lots as two and
her desire to do stay within the character of the neighborhood.
The hearing was closed at 8:34 pm.
On a motion by Leo P McSweeney and seconded by Martha C. Wood, the Board
voted 1-4 to approve the variance to allow a lot area of 19,142 square feet instead of
the required 30,000 square feet for Lot A. Carolyn C. Wilson voted in favor of the
approval. This variance is DENIED.
On a motion by John J. McWeeney and seconded by Martha C. Wood, the Board
voted 1-4 to approve the variance to allow a lot area of 24,120 square feet instead of
the required 30,000 square feet for Lot B. Carolyn C. Wilson voted in favor of the
approval. This variance is DENIED.
BOA Meeting May 24, 2012 9
Minutes of the Lexington Zoning Board of Appeals
Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Lexington Town Hall
May 24, 2012
Board Members Present: Chairman – Carolyn C. Wilson, John J. McWeeney, Leo P.
McSweeney, David G. Williams and Martha C. Wood
Staff Present: Dianne Cornaro, Administrative Clerk and Garry Rhodes, Building
Commissioner
Other Business:
On a motion by John J. McWeeney and seconded by Martha C. Wood, the Board
voted to approve the minutes of April 26, 2012 and May 10, 2012.
Submitted by: Dianne Cornaro, Administrative Clerk